From Per-Lux to PerTronix: Four Decades of Excellence

Originally known as Per-Lux, the company was founded in 1962, primarily a manufacturer of driving and fog lights for the heavy-duty market (big rig trucks). In the early 70's, an engineer came up with the idea of an electronic ignition system that would replace the points and condenser in distributors. After patenting the product, Per-Lux started manufacturing the Ignitor® with sales and marketing emphasis on the lift truck and industrial engine markets. The product gained wide acceptance with fleet managers who came to realize the dramatic improvement in reliability and reduced maintenance cost whether they were responsible for delivery trucks, school buses or generator/industrial engines. Only a few automotive applications were available in those early years, but automotive enthusiasts began using the Ignitor for the superior performance it offered. Utilizing the Ignitor technology, a complete electronic distributor was developed in 1985 and supplied to Wis-Con, a major original equipment engine manufacturer.

In early 1990, Per-Lux sold their lighting division to Grote International and a year later the management team lead by Tom Reh, the company's Chief Financial Officer, acquired the Ignition Division. The name change in 1991 to PerTronix signaled the company's total commitment to the ignition business. With the tremendous growth of the performance industry in the 90's, PerTronix began to shift their emphasis to their automotive product offering. This substantial growth along with the addition of their Flame-Thrower® coil and spark plug wire product lines made it necessary for PerTronix to expand production and relocate to a brand new 22,000 square foot custom manufacturing facility in 1997. By the end of 2014, the company's Ignitior kit sales had exceeded 4,000,000 units.

PerTronix has greatly expanded their ignition offering over the years including the addition of the Ignitor II and Ignitor III micro controller points and HEI replacement systems for the increased high RPM performance, Flame-Thrower HEI and Billet Plug and Play Distributors including marine applications, "Stock Look" distributors for many domestic and foreign applications, over twenty new coil applications, hundreds of wire set applications, Second Strike® ignition box, Digital Rev Limiter and their new wire crimper kit and stripping tool.

Entry to Exhaust Products:

In August 2000, PerTronix completed the acquisition of Ermie Immerso Enterprises, a 30 year old exhaust products manufacturer. Under the brand names Patriot® Exhaust and Smithy® Mufflers, PerTronix supplies the Street Rod and Muscle Car markets with headers, mufflers, side pipes and do-it-yourself header components primarily through performance warehouse distributors.

In January 2005, Doug's Headers became a new PerTronix Performance Brand and a welcome addition to their exhaust division helping expand their product line to include many new header applications for muscle cars, SUVs, trucks and motor homes. The Original Doug's Headers was located in Whittier, California and began producing quality headers in 1958. Doug's personal motto was "the customer should only have to install the headers, not remanufacture them to fit their vehicle." Doug's Riverside manufacturing facilities were relocated and integrated into PerTronix's 80,000 square foot exhaust plant shortly after acquisition. The exhaust products distribution and product development has now been relocated to a new 60,000 square foot facility in Irwindale, California.

In December of 2008 JBA Performance Exhaust became part our growing family of exhaust brands. JBA has been a cutting edge exhaust development and manufacturing company for over 22 years, leading the industry in header and exhaust product designs for late model emissions controlled vehicles. Famous for the Cat4ward® headers and JBA Firecone® merged collectors, JBA has set the standard for late model exhaust performance improvements by greatly improving the engine's volumetric efficiency. Many new products have found their way into JBA offerings including the all new 304 Series Competition Ready line of headers featuring a new Firecone design and a meticulously hand polished finish. JBA's manufacturing and product development have also been merged into PerTronix's facilities greatly increasing production efficiencies.

Expansion of Motorcycle and Volkswagen Offerings:

In May 2015, PerTronix finalized their latest acquisition with the asset purchase of Spyke Inc., a long time manufacturer of premium high performance rotating electrical and ignition products for the Harley®, Honda motorcycle and Volkswagen markets. Under Spyke™ and Compu-Fire® brands, motorcycle and Volkswagen enthusiasts have enjoyed reliable starting, charging and trouble free ignition performance for many years. Production and distribution for these brands has been consolidated into our Irwindale facility with all sales and customer service being handled at our San Dimas location.